Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

TCR Friday Notes

- Everyone's favorite topic...lineups!!!

On days when switch hitter Aaron Miles plays second base and Kosuke Fukudome plays center field, Piniella said he likes this lineup: Soriano, Miles, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Fukudome, Geovany Soto and Ryan Theriot. That's a right-switch-right-switch-right-left-right-right alignment.

Armchair managers commence bitching! Between rumors of 400 AB's and now batting second,  Aaron Miles has all the makings of being the new ¡Neifi! It's like no one in the Cubs organization has noticed that his likely unrepeatable .343 BABIP last season accounted for nearly all of his .753 OPS "success".

- Alex Eisenberg runs one of my favorite prospect sites -  Baseball Intellect. He clearly didn't get the memo about Prospect List-mania 2009 coming out this week or he would have gotten to his top top Cubs prospects by now . Alex does do a great job of mixing minor league statistical analysis with good old-fashioned scouting, plus the frame-by-frame animations are fantastic. Check out how Jay Jackson's arm slot makes it tough to pick up his slider versus his fastball.


 

 

- An old Marquette classmate of mine has some ideas about the lot adjacent to Wrigley. Beats the Mrs. Field's Cookies and Victoria's Secret that will probably go into the mall they're going to end up building.

- Looks like some of the readers are starting up a keeper fantasy league and I think they could use a few more warm bodies.

- Kerry 20K Parachat Viewing Party this Sunday at 9PM CST. You can view it on  DVD, Itunes or at MLB.com.

 

Comments

If Kosuke rights himself, my dream lineup is Fuku Lee Soriano Bradley Ramirez Soto Fontenot Theriot I accept that Alf=leadoff though so given that, I'd like Soriano Fontenot Ramirez Bradley Lee Soto Fuku Theriot I think Lou will do this Soriano Fontenot Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fuku Theriot

[ ]

In reply to by Jumbo

I accept that Alf will be leadoff so my lineup looks like this: Alf Emanuel Lewis (he's scrappy) Wesley from Mr. Belvedere (also scrappy) Tina Yothers (she's really bulked up) Kim Fields (with Yothers, one of the most powerful 4-5s in baseball history) Richard "Boner" Stabone (decent bat but dumb as a shovel) Rerun (plus: arm as catcher and dancing skills. minus: speed on basepath) Todd bridges (attitude problems: think Darryl Strawberry meets Milton Bradley)

[ ]

In reply to by Mister Whipple

Are you kidding? Coleman is emotional person-with-the-doesn't-grow-up-disease equivalent of Milton Bradley. He's got the fiery temperament that Lou likes. Didn't he choke one of his fans? Or just punch? Bridges is Darryl Strawberry.

If everybody that I've invited as of 8:44 am EST signs up, we'll have 11, which means we need either 1 or 3 more.

Glad we are done with this... "Orioles outfielder Felix Pie was a no-show at the team's first full workout Thursday because he's having visa issues in the Dominican Republic."

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

I've flown from Chicago to NY many times. Usually its a snap because I time the traffic, etc...airport delays...all that. Last time, i almost missed my flight because an accident on 90. God I'm stupid...I should have known...after all..I've made that trip so many times. Please google the expression "shit happens"

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Did you forget to pack? Did you drive to the wrong airport because you forgot to print directions? Did you show up on the wrong day? Did you plan a trip to New York but then get to the airport and realize you forgot to buy a plane ticket? I think you need to google the expression yourself. If there was a fire in the US Embassy in Santo Domingo that destroyed the paperwork that needed to be filed, or something was lost in the mail, then I apologize, you are right, shit happens. But by far the most likely scenario is that Pie put this shit off until a week ago when he knows the process takes a while, and that he hasn't complied with all of the necessary requirements, see: http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/atc-080324.html Also are you Pie's dad or something? Relax man. I was only making a point that it always seemed like there was some drama with Pie and I am glad that it's now the Orioles' problem. That's all.

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Whatever....lol... Or perhaps he had taken care of it...thought everything was correct, and it turns out something is different this year..lol...he is 23 yeah? I hope Pie goes out and hits .280/.350/.440,...and just sticks it up the Cubs ass for the next 10 seasons

[ ]

In reply to by Wes

Not adding parameters at all... it is assumed that Pie will play great defense and steal some bases, right? So if he hits the numbers mentioned, combined with great defense and plus base running, that will be pretty damn good.

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

I don't think Wes was focused as much on equating Pie to Todd Walker as he was pointing out, in a humorous fashion, the hyperbole in calling that line "sticking it up the Cubs asses". I think sticking it up the Cubs asses would have to involve turning in a great OBP, slugging, or stealing a bunch of bases. But I for one would definitely regret the Pie trade if he manages that .350 OBP and a .400+ slugging percentage. I'd be furious over the trade if he managed a .500-ish slugging percentage and a .370+ OBP, though. Hence the difference between sticking it up the Cubs asses and not doing so.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Considering that the Cubs gave their "#1 prospect" 260 at bats over 2 seasons to prove himself, and that they are perenially looking for a CF, and are trotting out Reed Johnson, who I like, but is not a long term answere in CF..along with Kosuke Fukudome, and I believe that is Japanese for Might Have been Great in Japan.. Then yes, that would be sticking it up the Cubs asses...

As awesome as it would be to have Soto and Theriot batting 7-8, I think it's a big waste of Soto's run producing abilities to bat Fukudome in front of him. If he hits anywhere near what he did the last half of the season, Soto is going to have to work super hard to drive anybody in. And I like the theory of limiting consecutive right handers in the order. I just hope it doesn't get to the poitn where we are playing an unproductive order simply to force managers to go to the pen more often late in the game. Sori Fonte/Miles Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fuku/Johnson Theriot is what I would prefer. Theriot fits well in the 8 spot I think because of the high OBP. Assuming our pitchers can execute their bunts, it provides a lot of oppurtunity to roll to the top with a runner in scoring position.

[ ]

In reply to by kmokeefe

I like your lineup. IMO... With Theriot's amazing ability to dump base hits in front of the right fielder, or shoot them between the first & second baseman, I always thought he'd be perfect as a #2 hitter. I imagine a patient leadoff hitter who gets on first base often and is moved over to third by Theriot. Of course, we have Soriano leading off... *sigh* While I understand mixing up the lefties and righties, any of you that objects to this configuration should check out Theriot's lefty-righty splits. He's good against both, he's patient and consistent. And fwiw, this would be my lineup: Soriano *sigh* Theriot Ramirez Bradley Lee Fuku/Johnson Soto Fonte/Miles I know batting Lee 5th would probably be wildly unpopular, but the thing is we're still all pretending like '05 Derrek Lee is Derrek Lee every year... and that is not the case. He's a real good hitter, don't get me wrong, but '05 was a career year and I'm willing to admit that now.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

The notion of hitting Lee 5th is certainly not unpopular with me. I have been squawking about the need to move his DP-hitting ass out of the 3-slot for almost a year now. I do think, though, that you have Soto too far down in the lineup. He should be 6th, with the Fuku/Johnson platoon 7th...

[ ]

In reply to by kmokeefe

If Fukudome hits like he did in the second half of 2008, he's not going to be in the lineup, so your point is moot. If he gets himself straightened out, he's probably the best OBP guy on the team.

Freaking Aaron Miles. I submitted a request to Muskat's "Inbox" last week asking her to please stop indicating that Miles might get more playing time than Fontenot, because it was causing me mental distress. She has not responded. =(

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I'm fine with Miles as a utility player, but not with the prospect of him getting 400 ABs. It also upsets me that if Fontenot, Theriot, or Aramis goes down with a serious injury, we don't have anyone to step in front of Miles and take the starting job for a while. Miles is definitely an off the bench guy, not an in the starting lineup guy. Bako on the other hand, I just don't understand. Poor Koyie.

i would like soriano fontenot/miles ramirez bradley lee fuku/johnson soto theriot with a right handed pitcher this would give you a right-left-right-left-right-left-right-right

Soriano Lee Bradley Ramirez Soto Fukudome Theriot Miles/Font

Does anyone know how to bring up multiple waiting room windows on IE? I know there is a trick, but I can't remember it.

Ok..If I'm managing: Fontenot Lee Ramirez Bradley Soriano Soto Fukudome Theriot or Theriot Lee Bradley Ramirez Soriano Soto Fontenot Johnson I do not bat Soriano leadoff..period.

meh! If any of these three (Soriano, Bradley, Ramirez) wind up on the DL we are looking at de ja vu: The 2006 Cubs. Now THERE was a nicely balanced LRLRLR team. How'd that work out for us?* * Even though our third baseman drove in 119 runs, hit 38 HRs and posted a .913 OPS and we had a whole crew of scrappy L-R balanced guys at second and short and our starting catcher batted .307 .885 with 16 HR, our CF racked up 204 hits, our left fielder put up an .809 OPS and our right fielder hit 27 HRs with an OPS of .833, the 2006 Cubs managed to rank 28th out of 30 MLB teams in runs scored.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I'm gonna have to disagree. It would take injuries to some primary position players, probably one or two of the three you noted, as well as a series of injuries to starting pitchers. I think that Harden, and one or two of Big Z, Lilly, and Dempster would have to be serious hurt. For example, let's take Soriano, Harden and Dempster out of the picture for the whole season. You'd still be able to do this: SS Theriot 2B Fontenot 1B Lee RF Bradley 3B Ramirez LF Hoffpauir C Soto CF Fukudome/Johnson with a rotation of Zambrano Lilly Heilman Marshall Samardzija And a slightly weakened bullpen, possibly with guys like Ascanio and Hart stepping into the spots vacated by Heilman and possibly Samardzija. That's not a 90 win team, but it could contend with the NL Central, depending on how guys like Samardzija and Heilman perform. More question marks, sure. Complete loss of the season? Not necessarily. I think injuries Aramis, Soto, and Zambrano would be the toughest to withstand--they might necessitate trades for full-time players.

got all my tickets by 10:30am - sweet. Cubs my budget to you was cut 60% this year because of your october.

My lineup would be Theriot Lee Bradley ARam Soto Sori Fukudome Font/Miles I believe that Sori shouldn't bat leadoff, and Lee has to move up to two. If Fuk can prove that he's gotten it together this could change a bit, but Sori and Lee have to move in the order.

My lineup would be: Rickey Henderson Adam Dunn Larry Parish Bob Hamelin Ernie Riles Jody Reed Jody Davis Shawon Dunston The rewards, like the positions, are obvious.

Really? Lee batting 2nd? Really? Yeah, that'll happen.

Bleh... first year I haven't bought tix on ticket day. For one thing it really pisses me off how it takes hours to get in and by the time I do, the good games are gone. Yet, if I wanted, I could pay double (sometimes more) at premium tickets.com and go to any game I want. It's absurd. I'll watch the Cubs at Cincy or maybe I'll make the trip to Detroit in June. The city is shit, but Comerica is a real nice ball park. *annoyed*

Ryno, I as well am making 09 the first year in a long time that I'm not buying tickets. I'll see the team in Milwaukee, and a couple of the guys for the ASG, but that's it. Prices are far too high...and then there is the whole waiting room crap. *For anyone who is a tech guru, couldn't cubs.com have a multitude of waiting rooms for each game to better streamline the process? Doesn't make much sense in waiting for a late April game behind 20,000 people that want Cubs/Sox tickets.

[ ]

In reply to by SJS

My beef with the system is doesnt really let you shop for games as I dont want a seat in the upper deck or bleachers (I can get a better view on my HDTV than w/ those seats). I got in at about 10:30 and saw their was tickets for the Sox game avalable in the Outfield box seats. After putting in my ticket request I get there is only 1 ticket in row avalible, so I try to go back to another game and it wont let me. 3.5 hours and 2 other waiting room windows opened half-way throught the wait and I still have not gotten back in. You think they would give you the option of putting in a preferred game or section once you get out of the waiting room then picking games at random and then get kicked out if you cant get the seats you want.

Before this thread dies and we all move completely on to AZ Phil's coverage of live BP (thank God for some sort of baseball), I'd just like to say something as a matter of ritual. These lineups stink.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).